Bustin' out of Formulaic Writing

<p>Seriously, this has been so indoctrinated into me. Initially, I was a much freer writer who enjoyed expressing myself. Come 7th and 8th grade, the formulaic writing began. Able to tolerate it, I came to high school, where formulaic writing is the ONLY way to go for us. I really struggled intially with formulaic writing so much. I was forcing the square cube into the circle hole! Finally, I was able to master it, so much so that now, it seems all my school writing is emotionless, 5-paragraph, concrete detail + 2 commentary junk! Everything reads like a research paper!</p>

<p>Now, come junior year, the AP English teacher is actually really cool, and he HATES formulaic writing. Now I’m trying to smash the circle block into the square hole! I absolutely BOMBED the timed writing today. It was literally the worst thing I had ever written. Plus, I would really like to go back to my old writing mindset, which was way better!</p>

<p>Any tips?</p>

<p>Relax.</p>

<p>I usually find that my worst essays turn out to be the other way around, and vice versa in many cases. Just chill and write what comes to you. You’re asking us for a formula to not use formulaic writing, and you’re not going to get it.</p>